Dream of Californication.... JUST KIDDING it's Mexico

Well well well , It's that time again for another blog, (:  ..This time it's about the class trip to MEXICO! ♥

Landing in Cancun

Mexico 2014 ; April 24th - May 1st

Well this trip started by boarding the plane at the Moncton International Airport at 6 am, on our way to the Cancun airport. The flight attendants were pleasant, but not very peachy...Once up in the air the flight felt like it was going on FOREVER, maybe it's because we were oober excited but it felt like it was a 12 hour flight.

Pool View

THE RESORT: The resort was amazing! The staff was awesome and always so pleasant (: . When we arrived at the Resort there was a lady walking around the lobby handing out non alcoholic fruity drinks. She didn't speak much English but she greeted us with a HUGE smile! After the check in the rooms were not quite ready so we had some free time after we received our keys , so we all made our way to the pool or beach and of course the bars. 

The food was amazing, somethings you have to have an acquired taste for, but others are just natural flavours. There were two buffets and 8 a la carte restaurants. The buffets were just normal food, like burgers, hot dogs, fries. The a la carte restaurants were by reservations only and you could only eat at three the whole time you were there. My two favourite were the Cajun and the Japanese, tapenyaki where the cook in front of you.

EXCURSIONS: 

Xcaret: If I could go back tomorrow I would and book the same ones, even though it was hot there was water. Xcaret was the first one and it was amazing, it was so much fun! We did a little scavenger hunt. One of the things on the list was to do the lazy river at least once and get a picture... Well there is a picture from the walk way around the lazy river, we didn't want to take phones or cameras to get wet. The lazy river at xcaret was through caves, so the water was little cold at first. There were three different "rivers" which all merged into one at some point. Some of us swam with sharks, seen turtles and touched star fish. There was a huge aquarium, they had jelly fish and They had a beautiful beach and amazing little cave like walk ways with coloured lines to follow so you never got lost... except the red line looked black so it was a little confusing.

Xel-ha:  Xel- Ha was probably the best excursion of them all. Xel-ha was an all inclusive nature park/ water park. You could jump off cliffs into water, tube down a river with snorkel gear. On the way down the river you could make stops. One stop was to jump off a cliff into water, there were two stops on the way down the river to do so. Another stop was tight rope walking, zip lining. As you kept going down the river you could either get back into your tube or snorkel. It was a full adventure day but SO worth it! It was an all inclusive so lunch was either a Mexican restaurant or an International restaurant. It was a blast and if I ever get back to Mexico that will be my number one stop!
 

Telum: Tulum holds the honour of being the most picturesque archaeological site in the Riviera Maya and the only one to have been built overlooking the ocean. A visit here offers spectacular views of the Riviera Maya beaches, Caribbean Sea and surrounding coastal region.

Tulum was an ancient Mayan fortress city that rose to power toward the end of the Classic period. The most iconic of its structures, the Castillo, is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the clear turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean. The cliff-top Castillo, with its beach front location and lush green landscape, is the image most often associated with the Mayan Riviera.

An expansive walkway extends out around the ruins and a staircase nearby leads down to the beach where you can swim and sunbathe. Tulum is one of the few archaeological sites in Mexico where it really does make sense to bring a swimsuit. The best way to experience Tulum is to combine a tour of the ruins with some beach time—maybe even a refreshing dip.

The tour guide Alfonzo was outstanding, he knew what he was talking about. It wasn't just him talking about anything he knew the history, he knew the stories behind the ruins. Telum are the only Mayan Ruins that were built on the water.

THE ROOMS: The rooms looked like regular hotel rooms, two double beds, a couch, coffee table and of course the bathroom.... The bathroom had a jacuzzi tub that took and hour and a half to fill. But the bathroom was laid off kind of cool. There was a glazed door for the shower and a glazed door for the toilet so in reality three people could be in the bathroom at the same time.... 

OUTLETS/ ANCILLARY / VENUES: 

Bar by the beach!

SHOPS: There were three shops in the Mayan lobby, one gift shop sold chocolate, the other sold clothes and jewellery and a silver shop. In the second lobby there was a GIANT gift shop, that only took pesos. It had everything, from quart size bottles to fridge magnets.

BARS: There was a bar in each lobby(2), a pool bar (swim up bar), a beach bar, a theatre bar. Even an ICE CREAM bar!

Night at the Disco

NIGHT CLUB / DISCO: The disco, an every night occurrence for most people. I went twice, I didn't drink and just people watched. Some people really need dancing lessons! The disco was about a five ish minute walk from the rooms. The staff were walking around with bottles of flavoured tequila and were pouring it in peoples mouths. 

Xel-Ha group picture

THEATRE: The theatre was large with not so theatre styled seating, there was floor seating and there were two balconies but it wasn't really balconies, they   were more like stairs and there was a show every night. Our first show was The Acrobats, with the opening act of Alice in Wonderland. It was a really good show. We caught the end of a few shows, one was Rock n' Roll night, which was an AC/DC tribute night and the we also caught the end of the Grease Musical. But from what I heard from some of the other guest at the resort that all the shows that week were amazing.


If you have never been to Mexico, I would highly recommend it! You won't regret it! (: 

The Group ♥ (:

Restaurant Review #2

This restaurant review is going to be on...

Blueberry Ale

The Pump house is a pub style restaurant. Every year for the Hub Cap comedy festival we plant ourselves at the pump house for the whole weekend. 

The food at the pump house is AMAZING!

The pump house is a micro brewery, originally opened at 5 Orange Lane, downtown Moncton in 1999 by Shawn and his wife Lilia. Their first beer of the micro brewery being served on New Years eve 1999, as the first beer of the millennium. They later opened a second restaurant called The Barn Yard BBQ. Both being micro breweries in Moncton they are both pretty busy. 


Hob Cap comedy festival : takes place the first full weekend of February, so we have gone every year for the last 3. We also enjoy amateur night. The comedians apply online, they pick the best 10. Some were pretty funny but others were not funny at all.

Last night ( the 5th of February ) our waiter was supper friendly, his name was Brad, he greeted us with a smile. We're regulars so he ordered our drinks when he seen us walking in the door. We just sat down and our drinks came almost as soon as we sat down. We ordered 'Tap'etizers' , I ordered a cup of ' Fire Hazard Chilli (a delicious chilli loaded with lean beef, beans, vegetables and a touch of habanero to stake the fire all simmered with fire Cheif's red ale and served with quenching beer bread.) My mom ordered 'salt & peppa ribs' (crispy pork ribblets sprinkles with coarse  pepper and salt) As my step dad just got plain onion rings. All served with beer of course (: !

Our main dishes were, meat lovers pizza (home made pizza dough topped with lots of pepperoni, bacon and hamburger). I ordered a Southwest Chicken Wrap (grilled chicken breast in a flour tortilla with assorted greens, tomatoes, mixed cheeses and chipotle dressing) Also ordered a Chicken Quesadilla (a flour tortilla filled with a mixture of colored vegetable, and a mixture of cheese, folded in a half moon shaped).

The pump house is home to the fire wood oven , by far the best pizza in town! 

 All in all this restaurant visit was awesome (: ! The staff is amazing the food is great.

The trip I've never taken....

Somewhere I've always wanted to go... RUSSIA

 There are so many places that I would like to go , it's just so hard to narrow it down... But I would have to Russia would be my main place I would want to go. Not only because I'm a huge sports person and that's where the Olympics are but because pictures are absolutely beautiful!

 I just want to experience the culture, the food, the atmosphere, the language and most of all the beer. I am so fascinated with the country it self. There are just so many thing I could do if I was in Russia right now.If money wasn't an option I would have a pass or tickets to every single Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics event possible, especially all of the hockey games (Canada only obviously). I would also want to have tickets to the snowboarding and skiing events

 Russian food would be a HUGE factor in making up my decision. Especially the pickles. ♥

Pickles

Preserving vegetables and fruits is an ancient Russian cooking tradition and still very popular. Nothing can compare with home-made pickled mushrooms and cucumbers. And who never tried grandmother's gooseberry preserve has lost a truly delicious joy of life!

 

 

 

Mount Elbrus

 

 

Mount Elbrus is located in the Caucasus Mountain Range in Southern Russia. At 5,642 meters , or 18,510 ft, Elbrus is included as one of the Seven Summits, the highest summits on each of the planet’s seven continents, attracting both experienced and novice mountain climbers. The mountain is an extinct volcano, and is considered dormant, scientist say it has been recorded to have never erupted. You get to the peak of the mountain by a cable car system it takes visitors as high as 3,800 meters, or , 12,500 ft, facilitating ascents to the summit.

 

 

Getting into RUSSIA :  

A - Russian visa application form. Upon order completion, please download, print and sign Russia visa application, prepared by our system under your account.

B - Original, signed United States passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity.

C - Passport-type photograph: 1

D - Tourist Voucher (Invitation). Copy of tourist voucher (invitation) issued by tourist company or hotel in Russia approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I would most definitely be going to the Moscow Zoo

the zoo opened to the public in 1864, the Moscow Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. Today, the Moscow Zoo has over 6000 animals representing 927 species and covers an area of about 53 acres  making it Russia’s largest zoo.

White tiger cubs, ♥ , LOVE THEM!

The Moscow Zoo is 53-acre of zoo it was founded in 1864 by biologists, professors of the Moscow State University, in 1919, the zoo was nationalized. In 1922, the ownership was transferred to the city of Moscow and has remained under Moscow's control ever since.
The zoo had 25 acres when it first opened and 286 animals. In 1926, the zoo expanded to land across from each other putting the area up to 44 acres. The zoo's original buildings were wooden, built in the old Russian style with fancy wood trims.
In 1990 the zoo was renovated. They turned the main entrance into a large rock shaped castle, and a footbridge that connected the old and new sections of the zoo. Before the construction of the bridge, the zoo operated as two separate zoos because there was a street dividing the two properties.
The zoo was expanded again. There were some new exhibits opened such as a sea aquarium, a large cage, a creatures of the night exhibit, a sea lion exhibit and a section aimed just at children. Waterfalls and streams were added throughout to give the zoo a more natural feeling. (: !

Moscow Zoo Plan

 

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Original building was known as "Trinity Church" and later named the "Trinity Cathedral", the building was made up of eight side churches built around the ninth, the tenth church was built in 1588 over the grave of venerated local saint Vasily. In the 16th and 17th centuries the church, perceived as the earthly symbol of the heavenly city. The building is shaped as a flame going into the sky, a design that has no analogues in Russian architecture. According to an architect it is the nicest building in the world. 





  Before i die , I'm going to Russia! 

No words could describe this better!

Brooklyn Deli - Restaurant Review.

Restaurant review...

My restaurant review is going to be about the new restaurant in down town Moncton, it's called the Brooklyn-Deli . It took the place of the old City Grill for the location, click the following link Brooklyn Deli.

You walk into this restaurant and the first thing you see is a display case of cakes, cheesecakes and a carrot cheesecake. The carrot cheesecake, is a layer of carrot cake a layer of cheesecake another layer of carrot cake and then cream cheese frosting.

We walked into this restaurant I felt like I was walking into home, they made us feel like we was part of the family. The owner cam right over and said hello and welcomed us to the restaurant. 

You walk in and seat yourself. They hand you a peice of paper and a marker and you check off what you want on the menu, the waitress takes it and send it to the kitchen. On the boards all around the restaurant they have suggestions on what would be good if it is your first time into the restaurant.
 
 At the Brooklyn Deli I had beef sandwich with aujus, a ceaser salad, a our table shared tater tots and onion rings as an appetizer, my mom had the same thing I did. My step dad had a steak sandwich with extra cheese and we had 5 beer between the three of us and out bill was only 88 dollars and change. So its an amazing price for the amount of food you get.
 
 < Steak Sandwich

                              Tater Tots >






Prior to eating here I was creeping on kijiji and seen that they were hiring waitresses so I asked the owner (Brett) about it, and he told me to go in during the week and talk to Louise and they she would set up an interview for me. So needless to say they set up a job interview just like that. 



                                 IF YOU HAVE NEVER EATEN HERE, GO!! (:

Trip of my life! - Toronto

My favorite trip thus far in my traveling career would have to have been my trip to Toronto!

It was a family trip, so my mother and step dad went to Toronto the summer that just passed. (:
It was my first time on a plane, my first time going to a Toronto Blue Jays game, and i loved every minute of it (: !

Toronto is a beautiful place to be.  While in Toronto we went to Niagara Falls, the Toronto Zoo, the Eaton Center, the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). A Toronto Blue Jays game at the Rogers Center. We also went to the CN Tower.



Niagara Falls is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. There is a boat you can take that will take you right into the Falls the boat is called maid of the mist and it is 250.00$ per person. You can also take a walk in behind the falls that is another 200.00$, and they give you a puncho and wet suit because they know you are going to get wet.  Across the water on the other side of Niagara Falls is Buffalo New York. You can also walk under the "little falls" that are on the Buffalo side.

In Toronto we stayed at the Marriott hotel in downtown Toronto, there was a Starbucks in our hotel. We were one block away from the TTC . On the way down to the TTC you walk through a little mall like building, where you will find a Winners, a Tim Hortons , some restaurants and a little grocery store. While in Toronto we ate at a little dinner called Frans Dinner, it was a little homemade restaurant they had AMAZING breakfast and it was supper cheap. So good we ate there 3 morning in a row. The Toronto zoo was beyond what i could have ever imagined. The zoo is huge and takes a good 12 hours to do the whole zoo and see every animal. ♥ ! They even have a moose from Atlantic Canada. (: .






 Formally known as the SkyDome

 We ate at the cutest little diner called Katz' deli. The most amazing smoked meat sandwich I've ever had! I had black cherry soda and dill pickles♥. It is right by the Yorkdale mall . If you ever have the chance GO!

What's good , where to eat and what to do in Moncton?

Well like some of you I'm sure are from Moncton , so for some of us we think Moncton is just boring plain and there is nothing to do...

I personally LOVE Moncton (: ! Not so much the drama and everything going on just outside of it lately... 


 

There is not necessarily a lot of stuff to do but there is enough.. Saturday mornings there is the "Moncton Market" in downtown just off of Main Street, and also the "Marché Dieppe." There are some awesome restaurants around my favorite restaurant in downtown Moncton would have to be " the Old Triangle " great irish pub food. Amazing live entertainment every night. If you are looking for pub food there is also the "Pump House". If you are in town on the right weekends there may even be festivities. 




Moncton is not always the place to be... but for some people it is there summer vacations spot ... 


 

A little outside of Moncton , in Magnetic Hill , there is Magnetic Hill, where you drive to the bottom of the hill a light will come on and tell you to put your car in neutral and the "magnetic force" will pull you up the hill backwards. Also in the same little area there is the Zoo or Magic Mountain Water park. If you are in Moncton in the summer, just across the street is the boardwalk,  ♪ "there's go-carts, butterfly world, outdoor driving race, test your skills at mini golf then hit the batting cage." ♪. Magic Mountain Water park, where there are beaver tails (: ♥ (YUMM) Water slides, the wave pool, and also known for the really expensive food.

When it rains there are some things to do inside, like Crystal Palace, Cineplex and even Champlain Place. Crystal palace is an amusement park, there is mini-golf, roller coaster, swings, a mary-go-round, lazer tag and some other rides. 

On your way to Magnetic Hill there is the new Casino New Brunswick. Although you do have to be 19 or older. They have awesome breakfast lunch and supper buffets. They're all at discounted prices if you have a Casino card. 

The Hopewell Rocks located in Hopewell cape NB outside of Moncton near Fundy. There is a beautiful view of the rocks. You can go down when the tide is out you can walk on the floor of the Bay of Fundy. There is a hiking trail, beautiful little hikes off of the trail for places to picnicking. 

The Moncton coliseum, home of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) and also the Moncton Miracles (basketball) coliseum. It is also where some of the big events are held, for example, The Wine festival, the woodworking Christmas at the coliseum.


Hotels in Moncton are located everywhere. You'll find one if you look. 



No matter where you are there is a Starbucks. (: 

It's kind of about me... ;)

Hey! I'm Allyson, I graduated from Riverview High School in July of 2012. I took a year off school to work and save some money. I haven't been any wheres fancy... But I have been some places that I absolutely love! 

My most recent trip was to Toronto Ontario for a family vacation, we did A LOT of interesting things, we did the Toronto zoo, to see the GIANT pandas, Niagra Falls, the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)  and the CN tower. We also went to a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game (for any of you who know me that was my favorite thing of the whole trip!)
 







I have been quite a few places in the USA, my mom and i do A LOT of shopping trips, whether it be alone on a bus trip , alone in the car or with friends. On these adventures , I have been to North Conway, New Hampshire (home of the white mountains), Bar Harbour, Bangor, Portland, Kittery, Augusta and Freeport, Maine. (Every time we do a shopping trip we are always over the duty free ); ... ) I love to travel!
I have been to Boston Massachusetts, to the green monster, ( I was just little but it still counts) I'm far from fussy when it comes to traveling! If there is place for adventure I'm there!

THE BIG APPLE - New York City, I was in New York December 2011, It was the most memorable experience in my life (no there was no baseball game but still my favorite trip by far) It was my Christmas present from my mom. There is not alot of shopping or anything to be done its all full priced stores. However there were the street vendors under the Brooklyn bridge where you would buy all the "knock offs." However there is a 9 floor Macy's Department store (: ! 

A little closer to home, I have been to all 3 Maritimes, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick (obviously). Halifax is my summer home away from home. I could live there all summer and never run out of things to do. My family and I go camping for my birthday every year in P.E.I. ( my birthday is in September, so BRR). I love camping doesn't matter what the temperature is.But all in all I absolutely love staying close to home, but if I had the choice I'd be gone! If I had the choice I would move to St. Andrews in a heart beat! A quiet little town on the coast of the Atlantic ocean. A beautiful place to go whale watching kayaking. There are little boutique shops, a pizza place a few little restaurants and even a TIM HORTONS!

 I'm taking this course because i would like to make my dream come true by being a bartender on a cruise ship for a five or six years, I will give in five or six years just to see if its for me , and if not i will come home go back to school to be a massage therapist, then head back out on a ship. I eventually hope to become a manager of a bar/ restaurant and/or hotel. There is SO much you can do in the travel and hospitality field , there are too many to narrow it down to one or two.

I'm doing this blog so one day in the future I can look back on the "little" steps in travel I have done on my life and hope to compare the "major" ones. Hopefully one day I will be able to expand my horizons on the travel and hospitality industry! :)

"The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see." - G.K Chesterton